AnythingArtsNewsletter.com - artists promoting artists

Thursday, September 16, 2010

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Featured Artist ME... Rick Hughes
It’s a little self-serving to make myself the Featured Artist. Ok, it is a lot self-serving…but, there’s nobody to say no. Actually, I wrote a Featured Artist piece about Christine Alexander, my partner in AnythingArts.com, last year and I’ve been asked many times about when was I going to tell our readers who I am. I said, “when Christine learns to write.” But I am tired of waiting. So, I am going to give you the Reader’s Digest version of who I am and condense my life into a few paragraphs: highlights, mostly. I am going to skip the 25 years in real estate, managing the Palmer Ranch division of Michael Saunders & Company, 2010-11 president of the Rotary Club of Sarasota and all that, and jump to the artsy stuff. Peg and I moved to Sarasota in 1997 and lived for a couple of years in the Francis Carlton, the big pink Mediterranean place right next door to Florida Studio Theatre, the best introduction to the local arts scene. I am always taking a class of some kind: at Florida Studio Theatre I have taken Improv several times, acting and playwriting. I took writing for situation comedy class at USF Tampa and a basic film course at MCC (now SCF) and stand-up at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre. In 2004, the recital, if you will, for an acting class at FST was a short production of 10-minute one-act plays... at 10:00 p.m., no less. To my astonishment, people showed up that late and loved the short plays. A fellow actor lamented that he wished there was a place for us to do more one-acts. So, I created Sarasota Actors Workshop (SAW). SAW went on to enjoy three sold-out seasons, mounting 30 short plays and enlisting the talents of 67 actors. During the second year, Christine and I created AnythingArts.com Newsletter to serve as our own marketing tool. It quickly grew from 300 emails to now over 25,000 monthly readers from the newsletter and website, combined. By the way, this month is the 5th year anniversary of AnythingArts.com. I have BA in Communications and a minor in history, though in my early years I used neither and never really thought of the future. I gave lip service to making documentary films for years and years until one night at dinner Peg gave me the best advice ever: “Either do it, or shut up, I ‘m tired of hearing about it.” (she’d probably disagree that those were the exact words, but it is more fun that way). The next day I signed up for a 4 Week Documentary Filmmaking course at the Maine Media Workshops; a 10-hour per day, 7 days per week, immersion program. The power of documentary films is incredible and has a way of entertaining and educating while moving people to take action. I want to make a feature length documentary on the hungry and homeless in America, with emphasis on “throw-away kids”; kids 14-19 years old that are considered a burden on the poor or homeless family and end up on the streets. Funding is a topic for another issue. For the last year of so, I have been honing my filmmaking skills and have enjoyed my work for local nonprofits, small businesses and artists. I hope you’ll watch a couple of the videos here. The two larger ones were just completed last week, the smaller ones over the past year. Thanks for reading AnythingArts.com! (photos montage made by Christine, mostly from manipulated photos her smart#%^ husband, Chris, made and posted on Facebook. They are fun though.)




(** Editor’s note: because we are loving the ease of pinching event info directly off of our AnythingArts.com calendar, and doing it with regularity, from now on “AA.com” will be the notation for all such plagiarized material.)

September 16 [ art party ] Tommy Bahama's is hosting a party from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the restaurant on St. Armands Circle. The party includes an art exhibition supporting the "I Am Home Art Project" which features artwork by local homeless people. "I Am Home" provides art instruction and the sales directly benefit the artist. The event is free and open to the public. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a festive evening out, enjoy some art and learn about the plight of our neighbors. 941-914-2591.

September 16 – 26 [ musical ] The Players present “The Fantasticks.” 941-365-2494. The original production opened May 3, 1960 and played for 17,162 performances before closing on January 13, 2002. The original cast included Jerry Orbach, of Law & Order fame (and a bunch of other people that I never heard of because I am not enough of a theatre geek).



September 16 and beyond [ reception and exhibition ] A special reception for the public, September 16 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., will unveil Art Center Sarasota’s upcoming season of art classes. Instructors will not only be on hand to discuss classes, they are also exhibiting their work. This is an opportunity for instructors to show and sell their work to the public and to give new students a chance to see the types of classes that will be offered this season at ACS A preview of ACS’s upcoming class, workshop, demonstration and Education Program schedule will be available. Call 941-635-2032. (the instructor’s exhibition runs through October 23)

September 17 [ towels art walk ] All galleries and restaurants are open for the Towles Court Art Walk every third Friday from 6-10:00 p.m. You will find all styles and mediums of art, live music, demonstrations, and artist receptions. Directions and details, call 941-374-1988. Parking available.



September 17 & 18 [ new music ] New Music New College returns to the New College’s Mildred Sainer Pavilion: Described as “full of imagination and technical expertise,” Andrew McKenna Lee’s music is an integral synthesis of contrasting elements from a variety of styles and influences. On Friday the 17th, at 3:30 p.m. there is a lecture/demonstration. The concert performance is Saturday the 18th at 8:00 p.m. For his NMNC debut, Lee will perform his Five Refractions of a Prelude by Bach, a set of pieces based on Bach’s Prelude for Lute in D Minor, BWV 999. Percussionist Michael McCurdy will join Lee for other original compositions and Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint. (AA.com) 941-487-4888.

September 17 - 26 (various times) [ all my sons ] The Virtuoso Performing Arts Theatre will be presenting Arthur Miller's classic play "All My Sons" at the Glenridge Performing Arts Center in Sarasota. The show will run September 17-19 & 24-26. Tickets can be purchased on-line. 941-345-7032.



September 19 [ pipes, voice & brass ] POPSExtras presents “Pipes, Voice & Brass” featuring The Jacobites Pipe & Drum Band, The First Pipe Organ with The First Choir and The First Brass (an ensemble of The American Brass) from 4-5:30 and then a 3-course dinner with dance music by Scott Blum & Friends That’s a lot of “firstseses” at the First Presbyterian Church (2050 Oak Street, Sarasota). Call 941-362-7632.

September 20 & 21 [ orlando? ] What Christine? You said you’d run something about something in Orlando? Orlando??? Ok, because you said you would: The Orlando Improv Festival is coming up and featuring acts from Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Austin and SARASOTA. Yes, the Lazy Fairy Improv Troupe will be performing on September 21 at 10:00 p.m. Check the website for details and, by all means, call Christine on her cell for details. (very funny, Rick... very funny ~Christine)



September 21 [ opera meeting ] All are invited to the General Meeting of the Opera Guild in the Peterson Room of the Sarasota Opera House. The 10:00 a.m. meeting is preceded by a social with refreshments. After a brief business meeting, there will be singing from opera and musical theater by Sarasota Opera principle artist Reyna Carguill accompanied by Maestro Michael Wittenburg. There is no charge. Call 941-366-0682.

Opening September 23 [ vt ] “The Flying Dutchman” is a Venice Theatre Generations Production running through October 10. “The Flying Dutchman” is a swashbuckling adventure based on the 18th century urban legend. Der Dutchman is cursed to roam the seven seas for eternity, but he gets to spend one day on land every 10 years. “A seafaring romance with an exciting supernatural twist, and a treasure chest of odd characters.” Call 941-488-1115.



Opening September 23 [ manatee players ] Stephen Sondheim’s hit musical, “Sunday in the Park with George," opens soon at the Manatee Players and runs through October 10. From the Manatee Players site: “One of the most acclaimed musicals of our time, this moving study of the enigmatic painter Georges Seurat won a Pulitzer Prize for its deeply insightful and highly personal examination of life through art and the artist.” Call 941-748-5875.

September 24 [ music ] The Ballroom City Dance Club presents “Melanie Massell & Hot Item” at the Payne Park Auditorium (2100E. Laurel St., Sarasota) from 8-11:00 p.m. There’s even a free 30-minute dance lesson before the band starts. Call 941-761-4623.

"I have found AnythingArts.com to be the most effective vehicle for my marketing efforts in Sarasota." ~ John Burr (find new clients with us)

September 24 -26 & Oct 1-2 [ senior theater ] Sarasota Senior Theatre presents “3 for the Money” on the Mainstage of Florida Studio Theatre. The 3 are something from Thorton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker," an original work called “The Day They Kidnapped Blanche," and an excerpt from “Auntie Mame.” Directed by Susan Jones Mannino and featuring a cast of over 20 veteran actors. Contact Natalie Gundrum for information at 941-351-5016.

September 25 [ woji ] Hank Woji is playing at the Lemon Bay Playhouse Coffee House from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Hank plays blends of folk, country, bluegrass and rock. Roasters Coffee Bar, at village Gifts & Gallery, is supplying the free coffee. According to the Houston Music News, “Hank Woji stands out from the pack of singer/songwriters by conjuring a sound that is at the same time richly textured and intimate... Woji evokes the best elements of Arlo Guthrie and Cat Stevens.” Call 941-475-6756.



October 8 – 24 [ what’s in a name? ] For two weeks surrounding the Ringling International Arts Festival (RIAF), the Festival sARTée, Oct. 8-24, showcases the region's world-class arts and culture ranging from theater, dance, music, visual art, live music and more in a variety of venues throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Festival sARTée derives its name from both Sarasota and Manatee Counties, joined by the common element of art. The first Festival sARTée is organized through a partnership between the Arts Council of Manatee County, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Realize Bradenton, Inc., Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Sarasota County Arts Council. Visit the website for full details.
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NOW, hurry [ fst classes and workshops ] Florida Studio Theatre is launching a new round of adult workshops and classes including Improv, Acting, Theatre Appreciation, Playwriting, Sketch Comedy and a Play Reading Club. Call Beth Duda, duda, at 941-366-1350 for details. Many classes starting soon, so don’t delay.

[ voice and speech training ] John Burr offers voiceover and speech training at his new studio in Sarasota. Whatever your needs, with his many years of experience, John can help you develop into a world-class voiceover talent or public speaker. Check out John's website for the details.

Now and ongoing [ you should be dancin’ yeah ] The Players Theatre is presenting a variety of dance classes for all ages, and we mean all ages: Combo Dance for ages 3-5, Boys Street Dance for ages 6-12 and Musical Theatre for Seniors aged 55 and up, up, up. 941-365-2494.

Now through October 11 [ classes at acm ] Learn all the basics of beaded jewelry, including beadalon & crimping, wire links, classic pearl stringing and memory wire in a 5-week class at Art Center Manatee, Mondays, 10-noon. Or make your own pendants, earrings and beads in golden bronze in the 5-week Bronze Metal Clay class Mondays, 1-3:00 p.m. Sign up online or by phone at 941-746-2862.

Available [ smoakin’ ] Brenda Smoak, owner of Alchemy Gallery, Village of the Arts, Bradenton, is available to teach a variety of mixed-media and/or clay artist residencies in public and private schools (K-12), after school venues, community centers, hospitals, assisted living centers, and at-risk facilities locally, regionally, and nationally. Call her at 941-201-7282 for details.

September – December 13 [ shake your groove thing ] Bethsheba Almah is teaching beginner and “After the Basics” Belly Dancing classes and a choreography class in the gym at the Ringling College of Art. Just $15 per class, or $100 for all 8 weeks. Learn the history and enjoy a great cardio workout. Call 941-587-6385 for more information.



September 18 [ find your voice ] One-day Voiceover Workshop on the art, craft and business of doing voiceover work. Presented by John Burr. Call 941-378-0021 for details.

September 25 [ register now ] Ringling College of Art & Design has courses for adults, teens and kids including Art & Design Career Development, Art & Healing, Ceramics, Color & Design, Digital Arts, Drawing, Photography and more. Call 941-955-8866.

Saturdays October 25 - 30 [ singing workshop ] Authentic Voicework presents the “Sacred Voices Series” at Ionie’s Center for Wellness (1242 Fruitville Rd.). Here’s how Stephanie Heidemann explains it, “Sacred Voices” is a merging of yogic breath work practices, teaching proper voice-singing technique and tuning into the energy of the divine feminine to harness the Sacred pulse that lies within us all.

Nov. 30 deadline [ tv? ] The Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office (SCFEO), a division of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, has launched “TV ME!” a new, innovative writers competition seeking creative content ideas for television programming. Entries accepted through Nov. 30, 2010. The Grand Prize for the best entry across all categories will include a trip to Los Angeles, California, to “pitch” the concept in person to a select group of industry professionals. Additional prizes include cash awards and gifts from sponsors, as well as publicity and a winners’ luncheon.

April [ planning now ] Jazz performer and comedienne Betty Comora is leading a bus trip from Sarasota to New Orleans for the 2011 French Quarter Festival. As Betty puts it, “skip the bother, skip the fuss, take a comfy roomy bus.” Call Betty at 941-378-5166 for details on this April 6 – 12, 2011 trip. This is Betty’s 6th time taking tours to New Orleans. Travel arrangements via Legendary Journeys. Biloxi and the Jazz Festival are on the itinerary.

Auditions [ pick me, no me ] Be sure to check the audition pages of local theaters to make sure you don't miss anything (click the theater name): Florida Studio Theatre • The Players Theatre of Sarasota • Manatee Players • The Golden Apple • Island Players • Asolo Repertory Theatre • Venice Theatre • Lemon Bay Playhouse
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Information about show times, places and dates is assumed accurate but not guaranteed. Please contact the presenting organization directly, by the link or phone number provided, to confirm information. You are receiving this email because 1. Christine Alexander and Rick Hughes know you are an artist or an arts patron and/or 2. You signed up for it, or 3. One of your friends has forwarded it to you because they knew you’d love it. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us every two weeks, please add info@anythingarts.com to your address book today. Also, please send us your news!